David Cameron plans to decriminalise watching TV without paying the licence fee, it has been reported.

It is currently against the law to watch or record live TV programmes without a licence, and the offence can lead to prosecution, a court appearance and a fine of up to £1,000.

The Conservatives have previously dropped attempts to make the offence punishable only by a fine, amid concerns it would make people more likely to skip paying and cost the BBC £200 million a year.

But the move would also save up to 300,000 people a year from a criminal record, and on Tuesday the Prime Minister’s spokesman said Mr Cameron still views the enforcement as heavy-handed and wants it changed.

John Whittingdale strolls up to Number 10 earlier this week

It comes following front-page headlines that suggest the Tory government will “go to war with the BBC”, after Mr Cameron appointed John Whittingdale as Culture Secretary. At the time, Downing Street sources were quoted as saying the veteran MP would “sort out the BBC”.

Mr Whittingdale, who was previously chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has made no secret of his belief that the licence fee is in need of reform, describing it as “worse than the poll tax”.

The BBC’s royal charter is to be reviewed next year, and one of Mr Whittingdale’s most important jobs in his new role will be to consider the future of the £145.50-a-year TV licence.

Appointments in David Cameron's Tory government

Appointments in David Cameron's Tory government

1/7
Amber Rudd: Energy and Climate Change Secretary

Wins a big promotion after increasing her majority in Hastings and Rye despite once describing her constituency as a “bit depressing”. The former banker and financial journalist is considered a moderate Eurosceptic

2/7
Priti Patel: Employment Minister (attending Cabinet)

Former party press officer and now the Witham MP is rewarded for her forceful performances during the election campaign. She is on the right of the party and a Eurosceptic. Ms Patel has called for the return of hanging

3/7
John Whittingdale: Culture Secretary

Having never been a minister in his 23 years as an MP John Whittingdale’s elevation to the Cabinet is meteoric. But his appointment sends a message to Tory backbenchers that preferment is possible even for those who may have given up hope (and be tempted to rebel)

Getty

4/7
Anna Soubry: Minister for Small Business

Not long ago the former defence minister feared she would not even be an MP but now she has a key role in the Department for Business and the right to attend Cabinet

5/7
Sajid Javid: Business Secretary

Rising star tipped as Britain’s first prime minister from an ethnic minority. Son of a bus driver, he grew up in two-bedroom flat in Bristol. After university he joined Deutsche Bank. Parliamentary aide to George Osborne before becoming Treasury minister and Culture Secretary

6/7
Greg Clark: Communities Secretary

Thoughtful moderniser who grew up in Middlesbrough where his father and grandfather were milkmen. Was a special adviser before entering Parliament in 2005. In previous ministerial posts he drew up plans to devolve powers to cities

7/7
Matthew Hancock: Cabinet Office minister and Paymaster General

A former aide to George Osborne before becoming an MP in 2010 election. Hancock has had a meteoric ministerial rise

Sajid Javid, the new Business Secretary and former Culture Secretary, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday that there was “a bit of over-excitement” in reports of how the Conservatives would take on the BBC.

“I think it's time to have the charter review,” he said. “[But] it's a process that will take place over a number of months and it should be driven by the evidence.

“When it comes to long-term funding of the BBC, clearly there have been lots of changes in the broadcasting environment, not least technology changes, and I think it's sensible to look at that to make sure the BBC is on a sustainable long-term funding arrangement and I know John is just the right person for that job.”